The Australian Government's Health and Aged Care portfolio has expanded its Health and Aged Care portfolio with the creation of an Assistant Minister for Ageing role.
The action comes after the Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Anne Ruston, told the National Retirement Living Summit last month that if elected, she wanted to be Minister for Ageing.
In the Albanese Government's first Ministerial reshuffle, 44-year-old Kate Thwaites was appointed to fill the role of Assistant Minister for Ageing.
The addition of the new role indicates the Government is looking at the issues of ageing more broadly, rather than simply as a matter of care.
"Older Australians need support and representation across all aspects of their lives, not just during their interactions with the aged care system," a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Aged Care told The Weekly SOURCE.
Retirement Living Council Executive Director Daniel Gannon said the creation of the Assistant Minister for Ageing role is an indication that the Australian Government is "beginning to recognise the magnitude of the incoming ‘silver tsunami’ and the associated socio-economic challenges."
"The RLC has contacted the Assistant Minister’s office and looks forward to constructive and ongoing engagement," he said.
Aged care and Ageing is now represented in Government by:
- Mark Butler MP – Minister for Health and Aged Care (Cabinet).
- Anika Wells MP – Minister for Aged Care and Sport (Outer Ministry),
- Ged Kearney MP – Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, and
- Kate Thwaites MP – Assistant minister for Social Security, Assistant Minister for Ageing, Assistant Minister for Women.
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